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Follow Your Dreams

I can’t remember a time that I didn’t have a love of all things floral and green. With that love came my desire to plant and grow things. But love was not enough. Many a plant and flower have suffered and died in my custody. It became a running joke for my husband every time I brought home a potted beauty. “You bought another plant to kill” he would say each time I tried to make my green thumb flourish. But I never gave up.

My father grew up on a farm in Central America and could grow anything. He would propagate a plant from clippings and it would grow with ease. I remember my childhood home and the driveway lined with wildflowers and roses. The sun bright on a summer day and I’d lean over to get a closer look at the sunflowers or chase and catch a butterfly in a jar so I had a chance to stare in awe at its amazingness. Summer days in New England were the best and the richness of the air and it’s sweet smell of the ocean is appreciated now more than when I was 9 years old.

Fast forward to about two years ago when my desire to really grow things was bursting through. My husband, Mike, while skeptical still supported me. He built me a raised bed in our back yard so I could plant whatever I wanted and see how it went. Kale, arugula, basil, sage, oregano, leaf lettuce were among the lucky seeds I planted and nurtured. Soon, I was amazed to see all these good things sprouting up and actually living, surviving. My spirits were high and my husband was proud. With my success with the raised bed garden, Mike bought me a greenhouse that fall. With the help of my amazing friend Jessica, we had it put together in no time.

Today, I have dahlias, snapdragons, bougainvillea, zinnia, herbs and much more living happily in my 8’ by 8’ greenhouse . I even have citrus trees in their providing essential ingredients to my perfect margarita. I sometime scour the clearance rack at Lowe’s looking for almost dead plants or flowers to buy at discount prices to bring home and then nurse back to health. This has been a love and dream fulfilled each day while I tend to my beauties.

While I am definitely not a “natural” at gardening, I have never given up. There have been many trial and error moments in my journey but I was always determined to keep trying. Much as life can be trial and error, never give up. Hopes, dreams, passions and wishes can come true with much diligence and hard work. What will you never give up on?